More from Steven Gerrard interview

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the Gerrard interview on the MLS, life in the US and much, much more - it’s here.

Here’s what he had to say in response to questions about the standard of football across the pond.

“The football has been challenging and difficult.

“There’s quite a bit of travel and different environments as far as humidity, altitude and different surfaces to play on. I’ve enjoyed the difference from the Premier League.

“A lot of people have an opinion on the MLS but I can only speak volumes of the league. And I’d certainly recommend it if anyone was asking my opinion. “I’ve certainly enjoyed my experience so far but hopefully when it comes to an end I have something to look back on and that’ll be a championship.”

20:26

Klopp believes Matip can make instant impact at Liverpool

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes Joel Matip can make an instant impact on his struggling Reds defence when he arrives from Schalke this summer.

Matip was officially announced as a Reds player yesterday after the club confirmed they had sealed a pre-contract agreement for the 24-year-old as Klopp added his second permanent signing.

And the German was delighted to bring in a player he was able to cast his eye over at close quarters in the Bundesliga and one he had identified as a principal target during his intended year-long sabbatical before Liverpool came calling.

Klopp: Matip is a top-class centre-half

Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to the club website about new signing Joel Matip.

Here’s a brief look at what he had to say!

“He is a top-class centre-half, very young but experienced. You don’t have that too often. To be honest, when I had my break I thought for the next club, I should think about Joel, if there was a need.

“He never played for my team, he did the extreme opposite – he played for their biggest opponent! Maybe that says a lot about his quality. Even when he played for the team you cannot love as Dortmund manager, you see his quality. Then that’s real quality.”

19:18Ian Doyle

Owen: Europa League must be a priority for Liverpool

If ever there was a competition that best mirrors Liverpool’s fortunes, it’s the Europa League.

Once, under its previous guise of the UEFA Cup, considered a jewel in football’s crown, it has slowly declined in relevance over the past two decades while suffering something of an identity crisis.

Now, though, it is battling back in the fight to be taken seriously again, desperate to regain some of the glory that has faded in recent times.

The duo are reunited this week when Jurgen Klopp takes the Reds back to his German homeland for the first leg of a round of 32 tie against Bundesliga side Augsburg.

With Liverpool having falling behind in the race for a top-four finish, the tantalising carrot of Champions League qualification for the winner has prompted the Europa League to grow in importance since the group stage was completed in December.

And former Reds striker Michael Owen, who won the UEFA Cup with the club in 2001, believes attitudes are shifting across the Continent.

Barnes: Liverpool fans must back Klopp's transfer vision

Liverpool legend John Barnes believes Reds fans must support Jurgen Klopp’s vision in the transfer market this summer - despite the fact he may not be bringing household names to Anfield.

Klopp yesterday completed his second permanent signing as Reds boss after sealing a pre-contract agreement for Schalke’s Joel Matip to add to last month’s purchase of Serbian starlet Marko Grujic, who will also arrive this summer.

The German also drafted in Steven Caulker on a loan deal during the January transfer window but has always made clear that he wishes to wait until the close season to strengthen his squad.

But Barnes feels Klopp will need the backing of the Anfield faithful when it comes to signing players, even if they are unable to lure more renowned European talent to the club.

Michael Owen on Roma 2001

“When you go away in Europe, there’s a special feeling. Especially if you’re playing one of the big boys.

“To go into the Olympic Stadium in Rome and win, it was a brilliant night. They were a real strong team at the time, with the likes of Totti and Batistuta, but we were on a really good run ourselves so it was a good contest.

“You never expect to go to Rome and come back with a 2-0 win, so it was a big night for us. It give us a lot of belief that we could go on and really achieve something that season.”

13:03Neil Jones

The Lovren fitness factor

Sounds like a gameshow, that.

13:01Neil Jones

Smith and Stewart?

I’d imagine Moreno and either Henderson or Can, given where they play?